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Katie McQuaid's Scene in Manchester: Time to lace up and hit the road

BY KATIE McQUAID

Get out your sneakers and join me in what is certainly going to be a heart-warming and memorable event. The inaugural Boston Burrito 5K to Remember CJ is scheduled for what would have been CJ Kosinski’s 1st birthday, Friday, June 6.

Of all the columns I have written, none seemed to resonate with readers as much as the story of Drs. John and April Kosinski, two Manchester chiropractors who lost their 8-month-old son CJ to an unknown disease in February.

Some people who read the column told me they posted the Kosinskis’ amazing list of “Lessons Learned” on their refrigerator or shared it with friends. Others told me how much the story has helped them slow down to love and enjoy their own children so much more.

Now it’s our turn to help them.

The Kosinskis, despite having insurance, are still facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills from CJ’s time at Manchester’s Elliot and Boston Children’s hospitals.

Losing one of my children would knock me off my feet, and facing the kind of debt the Kosinskis now have would completely suffocate me.

But John, April and their 4-year-old daughter, Kayla, continue to stay positive and have faith that it will all work out, despite having to move in with family to help save money.

Many fundraisers have been held, and more than $30,000 has been raised for the Kosinskis so far. But, that’s just a drop in the bucket.

The Boston Burrito 5K to Remember CJ kicks off at 6:15 p.m. at Stark Park, winding through the neighborhoods of Manchester’s North End.

There will also be a fun run and bouncy house for the kids, a DJ, and more.

Several local businesses have already stepped up to the plate as sponsors of this event through donations of cash, products and services. If you would like to join in helping the Kosinskis as a sponsor or race-day volunteer, please email AmeliaHayes at hayesamelia@gmail.com.

Those who register today through Friday will be entered into a special raffle.

Keep your sneakers on

As you may have noticed, its walk-a-thon season here in Greater Manchester. These annual gatherings release seas of people in matching T-shirts out into our communities to raise money and awareness for various non-profits and causes.

This weekend alone there are at least three such events. Saturday brings the March for Meals to benefit Meals on Wheels at Dorr’s Pond and on Sunday you may witness the March for Babies to benefit March of Dimes at Southern New Hampshire University or the New Horizons’ Walk Against Hunger at Veteran’s Park.

These walks are wonderful, outdoor, family-friendly activities that usually include free snacks and other activities for participants.

And a new walk is joining the pack on Saturday, June 14, with The Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England’s first ever Walk-N-Roll here in New Hampshire.

Spina bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States, occurring when the spine of the baby fails to close.

When Manchester High School Central graduates Heather and DaveMiville gave birth to their daughter, Emmy, doctors told them her spina bifida would probably mean she would never walk. I guess they forgot to tell that to Emmy. Certainly, the condition has created some challenges for the Hooksett first-grader and her family, but with the help of therapy, Emmy is walking and even riding a bike. And she has the most infectious laugh you will ever hear.

The Mivilles will join other families affected by spina bifida at the June 14 Walk-N-Roll at Southern New Hampshire University. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the group will start the 1.5 mile course at 10:30 a.m.

SBAGNE Executive Director EllenHeffernan-Dugan said the organization has been holding walks in other areas of New England for five years, but this walk will be the first of its kind in New Hampshire.

And while raising money is always important, Heffernan-Dugan said the top priority of this first one is to bring awareness to the disease and help build the community of people affected by spina bifida.

An evening of inspiring stories, practical tips, and networking are on the agenda this Wednesday for Standing Up, Standing Out and Standing Tall: Women’s Experience in Traditional Male Fields. This event celebrating Women’s Financial Literacy Month will be held at Dyn, 150 Dow St., from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Panelists, who are leading industries traditionally dominated by men, include Elaine Hamel, executive director of Girls at Work, Inc.; Amanda Grappone Osmer, owner of Grappone Automotive Group; Allison Grappone, owner and founder of Nearbyregistry.com; Loretta Brady, Ph.D, associate professor at Saint Anselm College and founder of BDS Insight; Linda Zhang, PH.D., senior portfolio manager and head of research at Windhaven Investment; and Aimee Mosher, account executive at Dyn.

The women will discuss how they stand up, stand out, and stay relevant in sectors sometimes unfamiliar with hearing women's voices.

It’s the final weekend for “A Chorus Line” at The Palace Theatre. The show, which brought us the classic “One (Singular Sensation),” performs Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. as well as a Saturday matinee at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 to $45. Visit www.NH365.org for more information on this and other entertainment around Manchester.

If you have an interesting event for Scene in Manchester, write to Scene@UnionLeader.com.